Everyone is invited to “A Colorful Feast” fundraising dinner to support the Valley Arts Foundation. The dinner will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at 6 p.m. in conjunction with the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition in the Big Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm Inn. Imagine dining among beautiful paintings inside the rustic walls of a classic Vermont barn. With only 50 tickets available, this is an experience not to be missed and a great chance to view the watercolor show before it opens to the public.

A four-course meal is planned that will include wine pairings and special treats. Prepared by the talented chefs at Lareau Farm Inn, guests will begin with passed hors d’oeuvres of Medjool dates stuffed with blue cheese wrapped in local smoked bacon, yellow fin tuna kabobs with pickled ginger and wasabi cream and cherry tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze drizzle.

Served in the east gallery, guests will be able to view the artwork as they eat. A salad of early summer lettuces and asparagus in rhubarb vinaigrette with a Vermont chevre crouton will be ready when dinners convene to the west gallery where tables will be set with white tablecloths, crystal and china for dinner. Dinner consists of a choice of either Vermont spring lamb loin chop and Merguez sausage, chick pea puree, braised field greens, grilled red onion and mint gremolata or Wood Mountain Fish Company bouillabaisse with saffron aioli, with a wedge of dancing heart sesame seed flatbread. Dietary requests can be accommodated.

Local strawberry biscuit shortcake with whipped cream will end the repast. To top off the evening, guests will be invited back to the east gallery for something sparkly and sweet!

“The Valley Arts Foundation is a small nonprofit that supports our Valley by promoting and encouraging the participation in the arts,” said Karen Nevin, director.

“Along with the Vermont Festival of the Arts, the foundation is active year-round bringing exciting arts activities to The Valley. But we don’t stop there. We want to make sure that our local nonprofits and small businesses are supported as well. We do this by marketing the Mad River Valley as a destination for arts lovers, as a destination for people who want to enjoy the beauty of the landscape as well as explore the many, many arts activities that we have. We live by the motto ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’ But we need the support of the community to make it all happen.”

With paintings from 37 artists from all over the country, the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition promises to be a new and exciting reason to visit The Valley. “This is a great chance to see the watercolor show before it opens to the public,” said Gary Eckhart, foundation president. “Please join us and experience dining at a whole new level, against a colorful backdrop of beautiful artwork, and support the Valley Arts Foundation at the same time!”

Tickets to A Colorful Feast help support the year-round work of the Valley Arts Foundation. Tickets can be purchased by phone, (802) 496-6682, or at the Festival Gallery. For more information go to www.vermontartfest.com. The Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition opens on Sunday, June 30.